First step for Lakers

This site is littered with people saying "Trade Dwight Howard". The idea of the lakers trading Dwight Howard is ubsurd. Dwight is currently averaging around 17 points 12 boards (league leading) and 2.5 blocks, not to mention he is a 4 time DPOY, trading him is not going to help the Lakers in the short or long term. Dwight is only 27 and is the only legitamite starter under 30. This season might be written off (you never know in the NBA) so the Lakers need to look at a long term aspect aswell as trying to save this season.
One of the biggest problems is defense, the Lakers need to trade Gasol and Nash for young talent. This team has to think about its future, if they are this bad this year will they be better next year? They aren't getting any younger. They have to infuse young talent around Dwight if they want to be set for the future. They have to show Howard that he is their center piece going forward, they have to be commited to Howard and the rest of the team.
I resently posted a trade idea as a comment on a forum (+5 points so it went well) the trade was Nash for Kyle Lowry, now the Raptors have just confirmed that he is available.

(Some of this will be copied/pasted from my comment)

Reasoning behind this trade:

Lakers: they get Kyle Lowry 26, (proven 3pt shooter and averaging around 14, 5 and 6 last three seasons) but the primary reason is Lowry is a relatively youthful (26) defensive minded player that can put pressure on other PGs unlike Nash. This would also benefit Kobe, as Kobe (at age 37?) Is chasing around young guards. Plus Kyle Lowry is younger and allows more room for team growth.

Raptors: they get a Canadian. Raptor fans haven't had to much to cheer about but Nash would be.

My closing for the comment I posted was as follows:
"This trade isn't likely to be accepted as the Raptors have changed to a defensive philosophy that actually seems to be working (sort of)and as a Raps fan I hope they don't do this. But you asked if I was the GM of Lakers so that's atleast where id start."
But now I'm not so sure, as Lowry is for sure available, they may bite on this trade for Nash. Play Colangelo and Nash know eachother from their time in Phoenix.

Lakers line up:

Kyle Lowry
Kobe
MWP
Gasol/Earl Clark
Dwight Howard

What are your thoughts? (Ps I honestly don't know what to do with gasol)

Dude I'm a huge raps fan (Canadian woo haha) I've been through the ups and downs with this team. This is from a lakers view though on what to do with their situation. As a raps fan I do not want this to happen at all.

The problem with both of them is that no else wants their contracts. Their trade value is just so low right now I don't know what the Lakers could get back for them. And I think Pau can still play center in the league. I have never been a big Dwight fan anyway, but I understand the desire to keep a top player at his position. Going forward I just don't think he is worth $100 million.

Random idea, how bout nash and earl clark to the jazz for any one of their bigs, preferably milsap or favors, gives the jazz a pg to help the youngens get better and a good flex guy in clark, gives the lakers some youth size, and then pau to either the bobcats or bucks for kemba or jennings and some fillers for cap.
Lakers lineup,
Kemba/jennings
Kobe
Metta
Milsap/favors
Dwight

Would all be good fits for d antoni, and gets the lakers younger, and with a future for dwight to possibly stay.